1st Rotation...
The first hour wasn't like any other. My back was scolding me from getting up, my head was telling me to stay down, and my eyes were an inch from closing for eternity. There wasn't even a single thought running around. Everyone else was just as defeated. I was uncertain what was happening. All I knew to get the hell up. I'm not going to stop moving until I finally hear the bell. The air was starting to feel a bit cold which was a bad sign. My body was going to give in before my spirit would. A student to my left had already fallen unconscious while another was on his knees but similar to the others fell eventually. I could see the person responsible for this in front of me taking some sick pleasure. He was pummeling another student in the corner without even the use of magic. Sweat started falling down onto the mat along with blood. This person wasn't human. He towered everyone in this square room arena. His brown shaggy moving about as he made his swift motions, his footing light yet every kick as heavy as an Emporam's heel, and his fighting style far too unpredictable and unconventional for any of us to track or counter! Those sleepy looking eyes staring at us down like we were some kind of insects. He wore the yellow and black uniform from "that" class. As I saw those colors highlighted on his sleeves, I only knew one thing about this man. He was part of the suicide squad. My legs started to charge forward with the intent of ramming him. That was foolish but I didn't have the capacity to think anymore. My rage took over my power. He took all of the power I threw at him and laughed at how weak it was! As I charged in, he smiled then sidestepped away to push my head right into the direction of the wall! My momentum was far too great to stop and I slammed on the wall! Without any time to waste, I turned but he was already there to place his boot on my face! This time there wasn't any pain. My adrenaline was pushing me to my limits. In another swift motion, he kicks me with the same foot. The last thing I could feel now was the hard blue mat. It looked like I wasn't going to make it. However, everyone seemed to be in the same positions already. Was I already the last one awake? The man moved out of the way then squatted down to see my bruised and bloodied face. He was speaking yet I could barely hear, the only thing I could render was his flamboyant yet bored voice. His arrogance leaked to his words as it sang confidence.
Man: Tired already? I didn't even break a sweat.
Arc: ...Hah…. hah… I… I'm… still awake…
Man: You must be built differently considering your class is already down. Why don't you take a break just like them. I could do this all day. Besides, don't you think it's impolite to keep the medics waiting?
Arc: I'm… Not… Failing!
Man: You sly dog! HAHAHA! I like your style. Saying those cheesy lines. You almost sound like a comic book hero. Though you wouldn't know what a comic book is. What should I do about that?
Arc: … I… don't care…
Man: Huh? I didn't quite hear that? I couldn't hear anything besides your whiny voice. You still with me, kid? It's alright to cry y'know. I got better things to do than beat you all up.
Arc: Shut up!
Man: Alright, then. Let's dance.
As I braced for impact, he delivered a strong kick to my stomach! The feel of those standard issue boots felt like nothing I had hurled at me before. I could feel that my nose was already broken making it hard to breathe. The man started to walk off, already looking victorious with his hands to his head. However, I still wasn't unconscious. The rules said that being unconscious is a loss. I wasn't done. My legs started to get up one by one as I placed my hand on my nose. There was a lot of bleeding at this point. Things started to get worse for me because I was starting to see double. The man turned around once more with a playful smile. I couldn't even stand up right anymore. With all the willpower I had left, I tried to readjust my nose. I counted from three to one then crack! I wailed in pain but my eyes were set. All the man could do was crack his fingers and laugh. Though this time, his eyes gleamed with interest.
Man: Damn, you're really different. I thought you were some kind of fluke.
PA System: That's enough Juxo. These ones passed. Please proceed to the medic bay.
Juxo: These kids passed?! I don't think that's fair! Or has management turned soft all of a sudden? Seeing kids being beaten is not your style anymore? That's just sad. I want a refund for my years.
PA System: One of them has displayed enough strength needed to stay in a fight with you. As a fully matured Adamian, that's passing enough.
Juxo: That's what I'm saying! Only one of them did! The rest need to be sent back to basic training! If you send these guppies then they're just going to be cannon fodder. You wouldn't want that on your conscience?
PA System: Understood. 24th Arc you have passed physical assessment level 3. Please proceed to the required dock and medic bay.
And without anything else to say, the transmission ended with the lights of the room dimming. Everyone had been cleaned out by this man named Juxo with relative ease. Even if we are kids or students, this man defeated seven magic borns that have a complete sense of how to use magic. I want his power yet why does he feel too dangerous to approach. My knees weren't in the state to stand up completely but I had to. The man approached me scratching his head then smiled.
Juxo: Lucky you, kid. You won't have the guilt of having those kids die. To think, you'd pull off something pretty metal like that. I thought you were just a little shit throwing a tantrum.
Arc: … They did… Their best…
Juxo: Oh really? If that's their best then they're going to die. You wouldn't want that if you were a squad leader right, now would you? Sometimes everyone needs some tough loving.
Arc: I… Need more… Power...
Juxo: Kids are a riot hahahaha! All innocent. It makes me want to beat you guys even more! If this is your strength for fighting hand to hand combat then how'll you survive against a creature from a different planet? Or perhaps a local with an equal amount of experience? Or maybe something even worse? Another magic born.
Arc: …
Juxo: No answer huh. Toughen up, kid. Magic doesn't solve everything. Maybe some other time. See ya.
There wasn't any other feeling in my body besides pain now that Juxo left. I don't think I was even standing at this point. All I could see were the other students with me that failed. There wasn't any time for me to care for these people because I still had other training subjects to accomplish. I've even heard that a student from a different section managed to actually beat a proctor. Last I recall the rumours, it was a girl…
Present day…
My legs started to feel adjusted from the sudden change. I stood up to see us in an even higher branch than before. This area was so much higher than below, there was barely anything to see now. We were at the height of the clouds now. As I turned back to see the rest, someone slammed their chest on me! My footing nearly failed me but I managed to be fine. This person was quite tall and smelled good. Something that I hadn't felt in a while. After a second or two, I realized this was Nitra. I hugged her back feeling relieved knowing that she was fine. She let go, revealing her worried face. My stomach felt like something was punching it but there was nothing of the sort. Maybe this was just how true relief felt. Was I that worried about NItra? Of course I would be worried! Why wouldn't I want to be? Nitra let out a big smile easing me a bit further from the events. However, a second later she punched my arm really hard! It stung quite a bit because I didn't expect it!
Nitra: And THAT is for taking so long! But, you guys are actually here. I was worried that you wouldn't find me. But most importantly, I was worried that you were going to forget about me or worse you'd be… Well… You get the picture...
Nex: I'm here too y'know…
Nitra: Oh right! I forgot! My bad.
Able: That's cold!
Nex: How would you know what's cold?! You're a machine!
Able: I have thermal sensors. And that one is called a burn.
Nex: That's not how you say that.
NItra: Hahaha! It's finally nice to see some familiar faces. We took our sweet time in finally regrouping. Though I'm sure you're all itching to ask a ton of things.
Arc: I'm sorry for getting right into it but what happened?!
Nitra: I didn't think that a lot would happen in the time we were apart. But I was completely wrong. I want to talk but I want to do something first.
Arc: What is it?
Nitra: I need to find the highest point. I need to signal a distress signal from here to the Platform.
Nex: So you were the one in charge of the signal beam?
Nitra: No, why would they? It was given to Terra. She was the one heading the mission after all. Don't you know that?
Nex: Usually, we just pass it around. We don't really care who has it.
Nitra: I'm surprised you guys stayed alive this long then. The reason is pretty simple why. It's so that the leader has the final input on whether the class is a bust or not. However, judging from these kinds of classes it is supposed to be used for completing the mission. But I'm not going to sit around while a rogue magic born is around. We need to inform the Platform to respond to this.
Arc: So she just gave it to you?
NItra: Of course not! Have you seen what happened to Terra?!
Nex: Arc had to fight her alone down in Talos. We're lucky that we keep escaping somehow. She's far too strong.
Nitra: You did?!
Arc: Where the hell were you the entire time!? Couldn't you notice the destruction of Talos?!
Nitra: No… because I wasn't in Talos anymore.
We recoiled from the information but Nitra wanted to continue jumping to the top of the tree to signal the Platform. Though, I'm more concerned if the Platform would want to respond to this. The mission is far from completed yet we're asking for an evac. Able continued to survey ahead with his mountain gear and grappling hook while we took our time to get our bearings. Nex took the time to assess the height to adjust how we should be intaking oxygen. Meanwhile, me and Nitra were strapping ourselves ready to move forward.
Nitra: How was it?
Arc: How was what?
Nitra: Y'know, Terra…
Arc: You make it sound like she died. She's far from dead, though I'm not particularly sure if I want to keep it that way.
Nitra: A bit mean don't you think? She's been your classmate since the beginning.
Arc: I'm sure that the idea of her defecting is still indigestible for me. Maybe that's why I don't feel it quite yet. It's…
Nitra: Surreal?
Arc: Yes…
Nitra: But how was it?
Arc: I'm not sure. It wasn't like any other fight we've had. Sometimes we'd have to fight about where to position ourselves and whether or not we'd need to demolish an army or take it from within. Those kinds of fights. However, she clearly wanted to kill me without a doubt. The way she looked at me, made me feel like I was just any other grunt. Like, she didn't know me at all.
Nitra: I see…
Arc: But we have to move on. In the end, we're still soldiers. We have a duty to uphold. No excuses.
Nitra: … It's… Sad...
Arc: Is that how you truly feel?
Nitra: Yes.
Arc: Then brace yourself because it'll never end. It's just the way it is in this team.
Nitra: I know…
Arc: Though I have to ask. How are you sure that the Platform will actually respond? We haven't brought in our mission objective.
Nitra: That's because this isn't a normal beacon. It's a favor.
Arc: A favor?
Nitra: You'll see.
She gave me one more smile and swiftly moved to mod our boots. This time, we didn't need to jump. Nitra conveniently used her air tunnel to traverse the branches. However, this still felt like a long process. The tree just didn't seem to end! As we pressed on further, Nex was retelling everything that happened to us so far. Nitra was listening but her mind was elsewhere.
Nex: And that's how we ended up here. Arc wanted to find you first before doing anything else.
Nitra: My, what a gentleman.
Nex: I was the one who suggested it too!
Nitra: Good for you then!
Nex: Hmph…
Arc: So tell us what happened.
Nitra: Right! I almost forgot! It was just so nice hearing you two again. Well after we split up, we found an underground tunnel that led to some place else. We were quite confused. Personally, I wanted to stay and wait for you guys but Terra insisted that we just give our coordinates. Though something else pretty much ruined that because as we did, the signal was caught by patrol golems. Terra had to fight but she was a bit frisky and sent a vibration cannon in a metallic underground cave.
Arc: Classic Terra.
Nitra: Yeah! I was pretty annoyed about it because I couldn't hear anything for a while. Well because of that my watch broke except for Terra's. It must've been a special design for hers not to break. That's why I couldn't send any relays back to any of you. The only thing left behind was the original coordinates. It went from bad to worse as more golems came through the underground systems. We didn't want to waste energy fighting an endless amount of golems so we ran inside the tunnel. Eventually we found another teleportation portal. Just like the one down below the tree. It took us into another different area. It was one of the cities of Plaux. Scary as to say that because-
Arc: There wasn't listed in the records that Plaux had any. Nothing on this planet had a sentience level higher than four.
Terra: Exactly. The ratings were level ten. A civilization that had passed the advent of at least atomic.
Nex: Why didn't we have anything on record?
Able: It's probably the dissemblance field around the cities. Any communication in and outside the planet has been interrupted because of this field.
Arc: A dissemblance field?
Nex: It's basically cloaking technology. Though that would mean that they're well versed in using Foxphite fuel. To run something through a part of a planet is no easy feat.
Nitra: That's what made that place so dangerous. They had access to metals, technology, and information that was well beyond the akashic records of the Platform. This made me certain that we had no idea of the scope of the situation we were in.
Nex: But we can't just call the Platform. We're made for these kinds of missions.
Nitra: Not when there's a rogue magic born around! Terra is definitely on her way to becoming part of the Nine.
Nex: You're kidding!
Arc: She's not bluffing. I can certainly see her potential to become part of the Nine. Though that's going to have to wait till we sort this situation out.
Nitra: And to do that, we need to bring the Platform the information. Plus, I have a couple favors to cash in. Might as well do it now.
Arc: So what else? How did you two get from that to here?
Nitra: Well… a lot happened. Besides, it wasn't really a city but it kinda was. Rather it was just a formation of small towns in a small area but it was also a city? I'm not so sure anymore.
Arc: Strange.
Nitra: I'm not quite sure. It doesn't make sense to me because it was all one city. The whole entire place was a city. However, once you enter it's like a compound for each individual village or city. Each district is governed based on their own individual rules and leaders. Different factions… Yet they all call themselves some kind of combined city.
Arc: Does the place have a name?
Nitra: Hyer.
Nex: What happened when y'all arrived?
Nitra: We weren't quite sure what to do. Our watches were far from working and Terra didn't want to send an SOS. Eventually we came across different citizens, some that were strange. But there was one person that stood out from the locals. A man in an old lab coat.
Arc: Peter?
Nitra: Yes, that's his name! He was the only human around. We thought he was someone like us. A magic born. However, he was much worse. A monster.
Arc: He's the one that turned Terra against us.
Nitra: I wish I could confidently say that he was. But that wasn't the case. He simply convinced her overtime. His words were charismatic and eventually Terra accepted to join his experiment, to seek the truth.
Arc: He still had something that changed Terra.
Nitra: I thought so too but no. Terra defected to the otherside by herself. She learned a truth that was blocked from our minds. Something that day changed her. I wished I knew what she learned but she refused to tell. She called me names and kept me under lock until I was ready to join in.
Arc: I see…
Nitra: Whatever he used. It had something to do with cognitive magic. But he himself doesn't even have magic in him. How he did it remains a mystery to me.
Nex: Did he even have a secret lab?
Nitra: Nothing of the sort.
Arc: Then how? I don't understand you, Terra... I don't get it at all!
Nitra: Calm down, Arc. I understand how you feel. When she turned I didn't believe it either.
Arc: It doesn't make any sense!
I stopped onto a tree branch and looked below. There was nothing below anymore. All I could see now were the clouds. I couldn't tell if Terra was still chasing us at this point. There were too many things going on inside my head. Nitra had stopped next to me, she looked like she was in the same boat. Things were going further south the more I learned. I need to press forward but this planet just won't allow it. Nitra patted my back as she tried to motion me to keep up.
Nitra: I don't get it either. I didn't know if I should stay with her or look for you guys. But as things progressed in the city, I had to leave her to find you all. She left me no choice, I needed to signal the Platform. It wasn't easy escaping from where they held me captive. Terra was watching me too.
Nex: Does she even have a plan?
Nitra: She doesn't have a plan but he does.
Arc: Tell us.
Nitra: I don't know what it is. But they said the grand scheme of it was a crusade of sorts. All I knew was that Terra was going to be the one at the forefront of it all.
Nex: She's going to try and kill us…
Nitra: I tried… But nothing seemed to work. She's gone now, Arc.
Arc: No, I don't want to give up just yet. There's still a chance. We can't leave a soldier behind.
Nitra: Arc… Terra went on her own… She's not the same person anymore. Whatever she learned, changed her. There was nothing I could do to convince her. Her mind was set after what she learned.
Arc: No…
Nitra: She tried to kill you, Arc! Wake up! You have to snap out that she's not Terra anymore! You didn't see what she did during those days! Those people in the villages…
Nex: Huh!? What are you talking about?!
Nitra was filled with tears now. Her peppy exterior now gone. I was the same. No matter how many times I've thought. If the situation comes up again, would I have the courage to kill Terra? She wouldn't hesitate but the thought of me coming close to that situation truly scares me. Those previous battles have been for survival. However, if it comes up I know I'm going to fail. My frustration was burning my head. It was like some kind of parasite that wouldn't let go of me. I can't find any hatred inside of me to kill a fellow human. Yet, I've killed countless before.
Nitra: Arc! We have to go… Wake up!
Arc: Huh! Oh… I'm sorry. I spaced out there.
Nitra: It's okay. Let's just get this transponder up then we'll decide what to do from there.
Arc: Wait before we continue. I need you to answer this for me. I'm scared that the time might come for this to happen or something similar to this.
Nitra: What is it?
Arc: What's it like? What's it like to kill another son of Adam?
Nex: Hey Arc! You can't just ask that!
Arc: I know! I know! But if we're going to continue on then I want to know. Nitra… I'm sorry. But tell me.
Nitra's expression turned dark as if she had remembered everything. There was one thing that everyone knew about Nitra before she arrived in our team. She was part of the Vanta color class. Ours was yellow to signify that we weren't scared to die no matter the color of our uniform. Thus our class was called the suicide squad. However, Nitra's previous class specialized in finding rogue magic borns. She's killed our kind before. This meant that she was used to fighting magic borns. She looked at me with lifeless eyes and a smile as cold as moons.
Nitra: Don't worry, If that time comes, Arc… I'll do it myself…
Arc: What!?
Nitra: Killing another magic born will leave a mark on you, Arc. It's best to leave to someone that's already done it time after time. It's almost poetic that I would come to your class to do the same thing I've done in my class. Somehow, the past always does catch on.
Nex: Nitra…
Nitra: Ah! I'm so sorry! I just don't want y'all to get involved in this kind of thing. It's like an infection that keeps growing until it consumes you.
Arc: Please…
Nitra: No… You've done enough. You were one of Juxo's students weren't you? I'm sure he's told you it before… The things that we do…
Arc: Never… Even so, how'd you deduce that?
Nitra: Your fighting style. They're quite similar to Juxo. Though Juxo had a certain flair to it. Almost made it seem like he knew what he was doing.
Arc: Were you one of his?
Nitra: No, but he used to be in Vanta. He was never the same again after. Juxo was completely different right after those missions. I don't want that to happen to you.
Arc: Juxo…
Nitra: Promise me.
Arc: Promise you?
Nitra: Promise me that you'll never kill a magic born. Actually, no! All of you promise me! That you'll never kill a magic born! Leave it to me… A vanta member never ends being a vanta member. I guess you never really get out of it.
Nex: Nitra…
Nitra: Please… Do it for me. I know killing was always free for us to do but it doesn't feel right when it's our own kind. It's a strange thing. When I kill any other species it feels like a normal idea, Having this one sided justice feels like every blood we've spilled on the ground was worth it. However, our own blood? I guess that's what every species feels. I don't want anyone else to experience it. I'll fight her. It's a duty of a Vanta member to fight rogues. Even if it is Terra.
Arc: I can't make that promise.
Nitra: No…
Nex: … Arc...
NItra: Guys…
Arc: We're in this together, Nitra. A soldier always does his tasks for the sake of the Platform. We can't allow you to make a decision like that. Even if it's one that kills another member.
Nitra: This can't be happening…
Arc: We're soldiers, Terra.
Nitra: NO! I NEED TO PROTECT YOU! I CAN'T LOSE YOU ARC!
Arc: What!?
Nex: Lose him?! He's not going anywhere!
Nitra held me in her arms as tight as she could. I could feel her quivering but I wasn't sure. This wasn't something I wasn't expecting. Lose me? What did she mean?
Nitra: Just please. Don't… I'm sorry…
Nitra's eyes surged bright blue. With a swift push, she shoved me off the branch! I reached over to my boots but I was pushed away by a wind tunnel. My hands scurried over, except I was already too late! The tree was getting farther and farther! This tunnel was going faster away from where they were. Nex held out his hand to reach out. However, it was way too late for that. Everything started to get smaller at a distance. I was long gone from there.
Hours came by but the tunnel never stopped. This was going towards a direction that I didn't know. The evening started to roll around. I needed to switch to my contacts sooner or later. There was going to be trouble soon because I don't know how long the path is. Nitra's air tunnel is still pushing me somewhere. Though I'm positive it might be that so-called city. Just as I mentioned it, an area appeared that had lights on. It wasn't like the city of Talos. I had a clear view of the area as I was suspended high above by the air tunnel. The place was filled with thick and high barricades stopping people from passing to the other side. Some districts looked like they were stuck in an old era while others weren't. This city was nowhere near as advanced as Talos. Looking down, it reminded me of what a honeycomb looked like. The middle of the city was the biggest section and looked to be the one set in an old era. The tunnel began to die down, it's speed slowing down by the second.
What did Nitra mean by losing me again? Have we met before? I wanted to make her answer these questions but I was too busy starting to get into free fall! I modded my boots as quickly as I could. I shot the ground with a surge of magic then aimed right for it. I landed with a mild explosion. Despite the cushion of air I made, the drop from that heigh still generated a lot of force. Hitting the ground with a thud, my back was giving me a ruthless punishment. The ground felt like I landed on some kind of rock tiles. My magic saved me from getting critically injured but it still hurt. As I tried to get myself off the ground. Someone was looking down on me. It was a girl! She looked human but there were some features that were off. Her eyes were completely different from mine. Their colors kept changing the more I stared at her. She placed her finger on her lips.
Girl: Another magic born?